Petry Sanders

Petry Sanders, Sr. was born December 20, 1936, to Hurley Walter and Bertha Sanders in Pike Road Alabama. A devoted family man, cherished husband, loving father, and proud grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on March 24, 2026.

Introduced to faith at an early age by his parents, he was baptized and became a member of New Liberty Baptist Church in Pike Road, Alabama. He attended Georgia Washington High School in Montgomery County, Alabama, afterward he enlisted in the United States Army.

After starting his family, Petry reenlisted and served his country in Missouri, Hawaii, Georgia, South Korea, and Germany, completing multiple tours. His final assignment was at Fort Hood, Texas. After 22 years of distinguished service, he retired with the rank of E-7, Sergeant First Class.

Petry was a member of the Masonic Order, where he met his beloved wife, Betty Miller, at a lodge event. They were married in September 1988 and remained devoted companions for 37 years, sharing a life filled with love, travel, and companionship.

A man of many talents, Petry had a remarkable gift for fishing, gardening, cultivating vegetable gardens whose greens and tomatoes were competition-worthy. He was also a man of generous spirit, volunteering several days each week at the local food pantry in Burnet. He cherished hosting family and friends, and enjoyed games such as Pinochle, Bid Whist, and Dominoes, often with playful competitive banter. He was also an avid viewer of soap operas, seldom missing an episode of The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, and later Beyond the Gates.

Petry was preceded in death by his parents, Hurley and Bertha Sanders; his older brother, Jeremiah Sanders; his sister, Beatrice Sanders Hicks; his son, Petry Sanders Jr, and son-in-law, John Howard.

Petry Sanders, Sr.’s life was marked by service, devotion, and love. He will be remembered for his kind heart, his dedication to family, and the countless ways he touched the lives of those around him.

His memory will be cherished by his loving and devoted wife Betty, his dedicated three daughters, Artura Sanders of Copperas Cove, Texas; Alesia Sanders Brantley (Tyrone) of Pearland, Texas; Catherine Steele Howard of Stone Mountain, Georgia; his caring siblings Hurley Walter Sanders, Jr.(Mary) of Carson, California; Minnie Sanders Frazier of West Covina, California; Dr. Isaac Warren Sanders (Cora) of Dallas, Texas; Retired Navy Captain Robert Edinburgh Sanders (Nancy) of Vallejo, California; Marilyn Sanders Long (Robert) of Concord, North Carolina; 4 grandchildren, Richard, Tracy, Tyra and Alexis; 2 great-grandchildren, Nevaeh and Zalen; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Petry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother/daddy, cousin and friend.

Psalm 119:45

“I will walk in freedom for I have devoted myself to your Commandments”